In addition to ease of application, tolerability of treatments can affect compliance. In the trial utilizing tazarotene 0.045% lotion, erythema, dryness, peeling, oiliness, pruritus and burning were mostly absent or trace throughout the study.82 On the other hand, trifarotene 0.005% cream caused mild to moderate skin dryness, erythema, scaling, stinging, and burning, with few subjects experiencing severe tolerability problems.5
CONCLUSION
Truncal acne, while similar to facial acne, requires a dedicated assessment due to its nuanced response to therapies and psychosocial burden. There has been an increased awareness of truncal acne as a neglected entity, and recent interventional studies have begun to focus on efficacy endpoints of the chest, back, and upper arms. While there have been some clinical trials that examined treatments for truncal acne, more research is needed. Furthermore, reformulation of efficacious drugs such as tazarotene in optimized vehicles for topical application is a promising therapeutic approach.
DISCLOSURES
Dr. Kircik has served either as an investigator, speaker, or consultant for Almirall, Cassiopea, Dr. Reddy's, Galderma, L'oreal, Ortho- Dermatologics, Pfizer & Sun Pharma.
Dr. Issa has no conflicts of interest to declare.
Dr. Draelos has been a researcher for Bausch and Galderma.
Dr. Tanghetti is a shareholder and Principle Investigator for Accure, a Speaker and Consultant for Ortho Dermatologics, and a Speaker for Galderma.
Dr. Issa has no conflicts of interest to declare.
Dr. Draelos has been a researcher for Bausch and Galderma.
Dr. Tanghetti is a shareholder and Principle Investigator for Accure, a Speaker and Consultant for Ortho Dermatologics, and a Speaker for Galderma.
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13. Dréno B, Tan J. Beyond the face: the hidden burden of truncal acne. Acta Derm Venereol. 2021;101(7):adv00495. doi:10.2340/00015555- 3834
14. Papadopoulos L, Walker C, Aitken D, Bor R. The relationship between body location and psychological morbidity in individuals with acne vulgaris. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2000;5(4):431- 438. doi: 10.1080/713690219.
15. Hassan J, Grogan S, Clark-Carter D, Richards H, Yates VM. The individual health burden of acne: Appearance-related distress in male and female adolescents and adults with back, chest and facial acne. J Health Psychol. 2009;14(8):1105-1118. doi:10.1177/1359105309342470
16. Tan J, Beissert S, Cook-Bolden F, et al. Impact of facial and truncal acne on quality of life: A multi-country population-based survey. JAAD International. 2021;3:102-110. doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2021.03.002
17. Tan J, Beissert S, Cook-Bolden F, et al. Evaluation of psychological wellbeing and social impact of combined facial and truncal acne: a multi-national, mixed-methods study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(8):1847-1858. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00768-0
18. Tan J, Chavda R, Leclerc M, Dréno B. Projective personification approach to the experience of people with acne and acne scarring— expressing the unspoken. JAMA Dermatol. 2022;158(9):1005. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.2742
2. Dalgard F, Gieler U, Holm JØ, Bjertness E, Hauser S. Self-esteem and body satisfaction among late adolescents with acne: Results from a population survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(5):746- 751 doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2008.07.013
3. Del Rosso JQ, Stein-Gold L, Lynde C, Tanghetti E, Alexis AF. Truncal acne: a neglected entity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(12):205-1208.
4. Tan J, Alexis A, Baldwin H, et al. The personalised acne care pathway—recommendations to guide longitudinal management from the personalising acne: consensus of experts. JAAD International. 2021;5:101-111. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2021.09.006
5. Tan J, Thiboutot D, Popp G, et al. Randomized phase 3 evaluation of trifarotene 50 μg/g cream treatment of moderate facial and truncal acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(6):1691-1699. doi:10.1016/j. jaad.2019.02.044
6. Asai Y, Baibergenova A, Dutil M, et al. Management of acne: Canadian clinical practice guideline. CMAJ. 2016;188(2):118-126. doi:10.1503/cmaj.140665
7. Del Rosso JQ, Bikowski JB, Baum E, et al. A closer look at truncal acne vulgaris: prevalence, severity, and clinical significance. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007;6(6):597-600.
8. Tan JKL, Tang J, Fung K, et al. Prevalence and severity of facial and truncal acne in a referral cohort. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7(6):551- 556.
9. Isaacsson VCS, Almeida Jr. HL de, Duquia RP, Breunig J de A, Souza PRM de. Dissatisfaction and acne vulgaris in male adolescents and associated factors. An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(4):576-579. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142634
10. Dréno B, Thiboutot D, Layton AM, et al. Large-scale international study enhances understanding of an emerging acne population: adult females. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(6):1096-1106. doi:10.1111/jdv.12757
11. Kutlu Ö, KaradaÄŸ AS, Ünal E, et al. Acne in pregnancy: A prospective multicenter, crossâ€sectional study of 295 patients in Turkey. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(9):1098-1105. doi:10.1111/ijd.14999
12. Tan JKL, Dirschka T. A new era for truncal acne: emerging from a legacy of neglect. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(3):665-668. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00529-5
13. Dréno B, Tan J. Beyond the face: the hidden burden of truncal acne. Acta Derm Venereol. 2021;101(7):adv00495. doi:10.2340/00015555- 3834
14. Papadopoulos L, Walker C, Aitken D, Bor R. The relationship between body location and psychological morbidity in individuals with acne vulgaris. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2000;5(4):431- 438. doi: 10.1080/713690219.
15. Hassan J, Grogan S, Clark-Carter D, Richards H, Yates VM. The individual health burden of acne: Appearance-related distress in male and female adolescents and adults with back, chest and facial acne. J Health Psychol. 2009;14(8):1105-1118. doi:10.1177/1359105309342470
16. Tan J, Beissert S, Cook-Bolden F, et al. Impact of facial and truncal acne on quality of life: A multi-country population-based survey. JAAD International. 2021;3:102-110. doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2021.03.002
17. Tan J, Beissert S, Cook-Bolden F, et al. Evaluation of psychological wellbeing and social impact of combined facial and truncal acne: a multi-national, mixed-methods study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(8):1847-1858. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00768-0
18. Tan J, Chavda R, Leclerc M, Dréno B. Projective personification approach to the experience of people with acne and acne scarring— expressing the unspoken. JAMA Dermatol. 2022;158(9):1005. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.2742
